After a good 2012 season, finished in the best possible way at Circuit de Catalunya snatching two wins in the F3 Open, the Argentinian driver explains how his year has been and the preparation for 2013. His record this season, at the wheel of Campos Racing cars in Auto GP and F3 Open, were three wins, eight podiums, three pole positions and a fastest lap.
1. Facu, what is your opinion about 2012?It was positive bet I didnt end up it absolutely happy because our main target was to win the European F3 Open, and we didnt manage to do so. We struggled with engine problems at the beginning, and my manager Adrin Campos had to try his best to get an engine change. When this problem was solved, and completing a great mutual work with my engineer Juan Fernndez, we scored more points than anyone else from Brands Hatch on, and pole positions and podiums werent out of reach anymore. However these engine problems prevented to fight for the title, but anyway my double-win weekend in Barcelona was a very good end.
In Auto GP our results were pretty different. For instance Marrakeck was a hard one, but normally we were able to fight for top-5 in qualifying at almost each event. Of course our podiums in Valencia and Hungary were the peak there. Portugal was a real shame, because I was leading when Quaife-Hobbs overtook me with yellow flags waving. If he would have been penalized, I think that to win there was possible. But at the end of the day, my experience was pretty positive, because it was amazing to driver so powerful car, to practice pit-stops,... summarizing a worth experience for improving my racing driver skills. Until I raced in Auto GP, before to focus on Formula 3, I was 4th overall and quite close to 3rd.
2. Which moments do you think were the most positive ones this season?My best moment in Auto GP was Valencia, because I was running in 6th at the beginning of race two. Finally I managed to pass other cars and was second at the end, with all my family attending the event and a huge Argentine flag in the main stand. Ive some very good memories from that day.In the F3 Open my first win in Hungary was a key moment, because it was a sort of prize for me and my team after our previous bad luck. Of course Barcelona was another amazing moment as well. My family and the Argentine flag were there once again, and I couldnt describe how incredible was to my countrys anthem on the podium twice.
My debut in GP2 during the official collective test days held at Circuit de Catalunya was quite good too, mainly finishing in P1 in rain conditions. We couldnt imagine this result before! iSport and Racing Engineering finished pretty happy with me and my work those two days
3. Three wins and six podiums in the European F3 Open, and not forgetting three pole positions and a fastest lap, and two podiums in Auto GP series. Was 2012 your best season ever so far?Yes, I think so. The results to prove it are there. Of course the people working with me this year have had a very important role indeed.
4. In addition, you also took part in GP3 for a mini-program consisting of two meetings. How was this experience?We were aiming for the best possible results, hoping to climb into top-5 places, even when I knew my season debut at Silverstone would be rather difficult. There the weather conditions were tricky and changeable, so we werent able to put together a good car. Then my car had lambda probe issues, and it killed my chances in Hungary. I was expecting different results but this is racing and these issues didnt help us.
5. How was to work with Adrin Campos?To start working with Adrin Campos, my manager this year, proved to be an intelligent decision, but he has helped to improve as a racing driver. He isnt just a manager for me but a kind of advisor as well, always giving me some useful advices during races weekends. To be at Campos Racing was very positive, always with competitive cars on track.Id like to mention my uncle, who always attended the races. Hes a sort of older brother and his support in difficult times is always welcomed. My father and family also had a key role for this season, as always.
6. Finally, at the end of the season you made your debut in GP2 with iSport and Racing Engineering. You set the P1 time in wet conditions, what could you tell us about that?My first day at iSport wasnt a bad one, but of course the second one with Racing Engineering was the best. To finish in P1 in this kind of conditions, where Id never driven before, was incredible and I couldnt have imagined something better. I was almost certain that other drivers could beat my time as track conditions were better lap by lap, but although they improved their previous best laps, I stayed in front. Nobody could expect that quick adaption to the GP2 car. There was room for improvement with slick tires but Pirelli tires arent easy ones and Id have needed more mileage. Felipe Nasr blocked me when the tyres were at their best too.
7. At the moment youre working for a GP2 program next year. How is it?Nowadays Im in Argentina because its mandatory to have an important support from your country for approaching a championship like GP2. Its my dream, to race in GP2 with the Argentine flag on my car. When I arrived here last November, almost every media called me: TV channels, radios, newspapers, magazines, webpages, Ive been working as hard as possible, and we celebrated important meetings to define next year. Everything looks good but now its moment to wait. Lets see. As I stated, my biggest dream is to drive for Argentina in GP2. If finally GP2 isnt an option anymore our chance would be a GP3 season.
